Tianqi City.
Dawn.
Su Muyu opened the window, and a slightly warm breeze blew in his face, harboring signs of the approaching summer heat. Su Muyu took a deep breath, savoring this particular scent of Tianqi City at this moment.
It was the feeling of being truly alive.
Below the window, a woman stood holding a sword.
She wore plain clothes with a long sword at her waist, her features radiating a heroic spirit.
This was the renowned “Sword Heart Has Moon,” famous both in the jianghu and the imperial city.
Su Muyu lowered his head slightly, offering a faint smile.
The woman turned and walked forward. Moments later, Su Muyu was walking beside her.
“Hanyi mentioned you in her letter to me, saying your swordsmanship is excellent. She rarely praises anyone’s swordsmanship. I think if you weren’t from Dark River, you might have been a good match for her,” Li Xinyue said casually.
Su Muyu smiled: “Senior is joking.”
“You’re handsome and seem steady – should have been quite good. Pity you’re from Dark River, so it can only remain a joke.” Li Xinyue’s hand swept lightly past her waist.
Su Muyu started, immediately stepping back.
Li Xinyue’s sword at her waist hummed but remained sheathed. After her hand swept past her waist without drawing the sword, she merely pointed a finger at Su Muyu.
A frost-cold sword energy shot toward Su Muyu’s brow.
Su Muyu leaned back slightly, his sharp eyebrows touched by frost. He retreated another step, his back pressing against the stone wall.
Li Xinyue returned her hand to her sword hilt: “I don’t like Dark River people. Why have you come to Tianqi City?”
“Just because we’re from Dark River, we lose the right to walk in daylight?” Su Muyu countered.
“Hmph, these past days you’ve been wandering Tianqi City, visiting the West Market, tea houses, listening to zither music, climbing Phoenix Tower – indeed acting like a tourist.” Li Xinyue sneered. “But do you enjoy these things?”
Su Muyu nodded: “I do.”
“Nonsense!” Li Xinyue drew her sword, creating a sword wind that lifted her hair. “How could a Dark River assassin enjoy such ordinary worldly pleasures?”
“Does Senior think that Dark River assassins only enjoy killing?” Su Muyu shook his head with a bitter smile.
“I am the chief of Tianqi City’s Four Guardians.” Li Xinyue said solemnly.
“I know, but even the chief of Tianqi City’s Four Guardians cannot prevent someone from walking freely under Tianqi City’s sunlight.” Su Muyu replied.
“Hanyi said you weren’t talkative – seems she was wrong.” Li Xinyue sheathed her sword.
“Heart Sword ranked third in the sword manual – it’s my honor to witness it today.” Su Muyu bowed his head.
“But I don’t wish to see your Eighteen Sword Formation. Some swords are weapons of war, while others are instruments of killing. I don’t believe you came to Tianqi City merely as a tourist, but you haven’t done anything improper yet, so I can’t just drive you away.” Li Xinyue sighed lightly. “But if you step out of line, I won’t hesitate to act.”
“Senior, I’d like to ask you about someone.” Su Muyu suddenly said.
Li Xinyue was startled: “Ask me? You know how to seize an opportunity, don’t you?”
“Black Tortoise Guardian Tang Lianyue – I need to speak with him.” Su Muyu replied.
“You’re looking for Tang Lianyue?” Li Xinyue frowned slightly. “What for?”
“Marriage matters.” Su Muyu said calmly.
“Marriage?” Li Xinyue was surprised but quickly regained her composure. “Tang Lianyue left on some business and hasn’t returned yet.”
“Hasn’t returned…” Su Muyu frowned slightly, a suspicion forming in his mind.
“Hey, that fellow… which family’s daughter did he get involved with outside?” Li Xinyue couldn’t contain her curiosity and asked quietly.
“Dark River, the Mu family.” Su Muyu replied.
Li Xinyue drew in a sharp breath and shook her head as she left: “They say the Mu family women of Dark River… are not to be trifled with.”
Su Muyu smiled helplessly. In the jianghu, the rumors about Mu family women were indeed unfavorable – saying they were all skilled in seduction arts, reincarnated fox spirits, and that many heroes had died in their beds. But Mu Yumo was actually quite a simple-minded person… He turned and walked back to his inn room.
In the room sat Crow, his hands wrapped in bandages, coldly watching Su Muyu.
“You said to come the next day, yet I’ve waited many days,” Su Muyu said slowly.
“That was your appointed next day, not ours. We come when we choose. In three days, the Sect Leader invites you to a banquet.” Crow placed a golden invitation on the table. “Come quietly, let no one know.”
At the Netherworld Pawnshop.
The current head of the Mu family, Mu Qingyang, played with a peach blossom coin while standing beside Su Changhe by the Yellow Springs, asking: “Why has the Family Head brought me here? What are we taking from the Netherworld Pawnshop this time?”
“To meet someone.” Su Changhe replied.
“Who?” Mu Qingyang asked.
“The ferryman.” Su Changhe lowered his head slightly, looking at the red-robed woman standing on the moored wooden boat, smiling gracefully.
“The young master has come again.” The woman smiled seductively.
“Hong Ying, ferrying here daily – how much silver does the Netherworld Pawnshop pay you?” Su Changhe asked.
The woman lowered her head shyly: “I didn’t expect the young master to remember my name. I ferry people here without taking silver, only waiting for a fated person.”
“Could the one beside me be your fated person?” Su Changhe pointed at Mu Qingyang.
Mu Qingyang caught the copper coin in mid-air, glanced at Hong Ying, then at Su Changhe: “Family Head, are you trying to sell me?”
“Does the young master know what kind of fate I speak of?” Hong Ying asked with a smile.
“Your name is Hong Ying- – Hong is a rare surname. Is it yours?” Su Changhe asked.
Hong Ying started, then shook her head: “I have no surname.”
“From today forward, you will. Your surname is Mu.” Su Changhe turned around. “He is the head of the Mu family – that’s the fate I spoke of.”
“Dark River’s Family Head, are you trying to take someone from my Netherworld Pawnshop?” A voice like a great bell rang out from across the Yellow Springs.
“Choose sufficient compensation from the items in that room. This person, I’m taking with me.” Su Changhe left without looking back.
Mu Qingyang lowered his head with a smile: “Miss, from today forward, you’re part of the Mu family.”
“Not ‘Miss’.” Hong Ying stepped off the boat, and while passing by Mu Qingyang, transformed into an exceptionally handsome young man.
A face Mu Qingyang knew well.
Su Muyu.
Mu Qingyang shuddered, muttering under his breath: “This is truly seeing a ghost.”